Bill Cowher is no longer negotiating a contract extension with the Steelers, making this the first time since he was hired in 1992 that he will start the season with only two years left on his deal to coach Pittsburgh.

The team wants to renew talks with Cowher at season's end, but announced yesterday it wants Cowher to focus on coaching the returning Super Bowl champions for now. Pittsburgh has a long-standing policy of not negotiating contracts during the season.

Cowher, whose current deal runs through 2007, has been talking with the Steelers about an extension since shortly after the Steelers won the Super Bowl in February.

Cowher said several times during the offseason he prefers not to work on a year-to-year basis, a stance he adopted following the Steelers' 6-10 season in 2003 after winning 23 games the previous two.

“I remain optimistic and hopeful that we will be able to conclude a contract extension which will keep Bill coaching the Pittsburgh Steelers for many more years,” team President Art Rooney II said. “However, we have all agreed that at this time we will continue those conversations after this season so that Bill's focus, and the focus of the entire organization, can be on the excitement and challenge of defending the Super Bowl championship.”

Cowher's decision to not sign an extension has created speculation he may retire at the end of the season, with the possibility of returning elsewhere as an NFL coach in a few years.

Suggs deal falls through

Running back Lee Suggs failed his physical with the New York Jets, voiding his trade from Cleveland.

Suggs, who has had myriad injuries throughout his four-year career, was brought in to help bolster the group of backs struggling without the injured Curtis Martin. Now, he is headed back to the Browns. Cornerback Derrick Strait, who was sent to Cleveland in the deal made Monday, returns to New York.

The Browns disputed the Jets' findings. Browns General Manager Phil Savage noted that while Suggs has been injury-prone, he hasn't missed any practice time this year and played in the first exhibition game.

Around the league

VIKINGS: Rookie linebacker Chad Greenway, Minnesota's first-round draft pick, is out for the season, the result of a knee injury sustained Monday against the Raiders.

REDSKINS: Cornerback Shawn Springs underwent surgery to repair a muscle tear in his lower abdomen and is expected to be sidelined three to six weeks. The surgery repaired a minor tear in an abdominal muscle that attaches to the pelvis.

BENGALS: Despite medical clearance, quarterback Carson Palmer said he's not ready to play in Friday's exhibition game at Buffalo. . . Also, the team waived defensive tackle Matthias Askew, who was charged last month with resisting arrest and obstructing official business.